psychological thriller

The Liar’s Child – ARC Book Review

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / 3 Comments
The Liar's Child: A totally gripping and nail-biting psychological thriller by [Sheryl Browne]

I’ll do anything to protect my daughter…

When I pick my beloved daughter Poppy up from school one afternoon, my mind races when I see the little girl holding Poppy’s hand. With the same heart-shaped face, long brown hair and dark eyes, the two girls look identical. In fact, they look like sisters.

Is the secret I’ve been holding on to for so long about to be revealed?

That night, I cuddle Poppy even harder, desperately trying to decide what to do. And then my husband’s phone vibrates. A message. And then another. And another. All from a number I don’t recognise.

Is someone going to tell my husband what I did? Could I be about to lose everything I have worked so hard to protect?

But I’ve spent so long hiding the truth, I never stopped to wonder if I was the only liar in the family… The only thing I’m sure of is that nobody is going to take my child away from me.

If you can’t get enough of addictive psychological thrillers like Gone Girl, The Wife Between Us and The Marriage, you’ll love The Liar’s Child. With nail-biting suspense and an ending that will make your heart pound, this is one book you simply won’t be able to put down.

No. of pages:- 359 pages

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date published:- will be published on September 21st 2021

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:- 4.5/5

Of all the books I have read of Sheryl Browne, this book I must say is one of her best.

Plot :-Kay is a creative writing professor at a university and her husband, Matthew is a doctor. When Kay goes to school to pick her daughter Poppy up, she introduces Kay to her new friend named Olivia. But here’s the thing–Olivia and Poppy they both look alike that Kay was sure that both of them are sharing the same father and Kay is determined to find the secret…

Good:-
Let’s start with the good ones in the book

*The author has done tremendous research on the neonatal diseases and other medical terms to make this story more realistic as possible.

  • The story started off well and by the middle of the book, things started to get heated up and came gripping wth unexpected twists and turns you wouldn’t really have expected.
  • Many of these characters are unreliable and complex characters particular Kay and her husband Matthew, both of them seem to be hiding something dark secrets. Both characters suspect of each other and Kay believes Olivia is a love child of Matthew and Matthew believes Kay is hiding something. Meanwhile, another woman weasels her way into Kay and Matt’s life–Amelia. Kay knows this woman as Amelia, a student in her class and Matt knows her as Rachel the part time nurse. Though Amelia’s perspective was not much given, it’s very clear that she has a set agenda against Kay or Matt with a plot to take revenge, and as a reader, you are wondering what that is all about!
  • The author has done a good job drawing the reader to the story! I was literally hooked from the beginning to the end, wanting to know what is going to happen next!
  • And what a rollercoaster ride I had with this book!

Bad things…well literally I couldn’t find any actually–I must say, this book is one of Sheryl’s best work so far!

Overall, this was such a gripping thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Sheryl Browne

Bestselling Author, Sheryl Browne, writes taut, twisty psychological thriller. A member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Sheryl has several books published and two short stories in Birmingham City University anthologies where she completed her MA in Creative Writing. Sheryl has also obtained a Certificate of Achievement in Forensic Science and – according to readers – she makes an excellent psychopath. Sheryl’s latest psychological thriller THE LIAR’S CHILD comes to you from fabulous BOOKOUTURE. Her previous works include eight previous psychological thrillers, all with Bookouture, and the DI Matthew Adams Crime Thriller series, along with contemporary fiction novels, The Rest of My Life and Learning to Love published by ChocLit.

Sheryl lives in Worcestershire UK with her husband and her rescue dogs, Brie and Pablo. She expects her family to grow, however. imminent arrivals being other rescue dogs with disabilities who need that extra special bit of love and care.

To find out more about Sheryl’s novels, go to http://www.facebook.com/SherylBrowne.Author/ or follow @SherylBrowne on Twitter. To find out more about Sheryl, go to http://www.sherylbrowne.com

The Wife’s House- Book Review

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / Leave a comment

Hey all! Another book review today–The Wife’s House by Arianne Richmonde. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the unpublished version of the book!

The Wife's House: An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller by [Arianne Richmonde]

The perfect house or the perfect lie?

The moment my husband showed me Cliffside—a sleek and modern glass home perched on the edge of the jagged Big Sur clifftops—I fell in love. And right there and then I made a pact with myself. I am never leaving this house.

But when my husband was killed on the perilous roads leading up to the house, weeks after we moved in, I had a decision to make—leave the home I love and start a new life or stay and shut myself off from the world? I am never leaving this house.

As I pieced together my shattered life, my mind began to play tricks on me. Footsteps along the beach, leading to my home, then blood-red flowers left on my doorstep with a note that read Looking at you. So I retreated back to the safety of my glass refuge once again. I am never leaving this house.

But now, as I stare out of the towering windows of my perfect home, I know there is someone out there staring back. I know that they are watching my every move, waiting to make me pay for my past mistakes.

No. of pages: – 338 pages

Date published:- August 24th 2020 (will be published)

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Arianne Richmonde is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the psychological thriller, THE WIFE’S HOUSE (released by Bookouture Aug 24, 2020) and suspense and romance. Her Pearl series has sold more than half a million copies worldwide. Her stories are always character-driven and full of unexpected twists and turns.

When not writing about the passions and fragilities of human nature, she loves to spend time with her husband and their animals, including a femme fatale Husky with one blue eye and one golden eye. Arianne’s a chocaholic and sometimes sneaks off to sunny, exotic locations, all in the name of research.

For updates on new releases, sales and giveaways please sign up for her Newsletter by going to: https://bit.ly/2ZoRQVx (copy and paste to your browser). Or join her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorArianneRichmonde/ or send her an email ariannerichmonde@gmail.com – she loves hearing from readers and will always reply.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the unpublished version of the book! This review is a complete honest review of mine.

In a nutshell, The Wife (the name is a mystery) is a widow, grieving for the death of her husband Juan, who died in a car crash. She lives in Cliffside, a beautiful wow looking house on the Big Sur in California, all by herself, even though she has family living back in England. The Wife is feeling lonely and vulnerable living in the house, thinking that someone is actually stalking her. The one day, the triplets, Kate, Dan and Jen enter into the house, claiming that Cliffside used to be their house, with a tale that the house was sold to pay for their mother’s cancer treatment. The Wife naively and foolishly invite the triplets to live with her, feeling sorry for them. Then the story starts.

Initially, I was a bit bored with the beginning that I honestly was going to stop reading. However, as I read on, the story starts getting interesting and intriguing, with unexpected twists and turns in each other, with the introduction of the triplets by the middle of the book. Then I simply, couldn’t put the book down, wanting to really find out what is going to happen next!! This book was like a roller coaster ride, filled with lies, secrets, deceit, between the Wife and the triplets, the secrets that are uncovered by the end and the most unexpected twist towards the end, that made your heart beat faster and your thoughts reeling! Though it was slow paced in the beginning, it eventually came to a climax and I must say, I was reading this book as if I was watching a thriller based movie. Perfect for the movie I should say and kind of reminded me a little of the Korean movie that won the Oscars The Parasite though the story plot line is entirely different. The writing was good, it got really good towards the middle and end, the dark secrets uncovering. The Wife to me was somewhat an unreliable character, on the verge of becoming an alcoholic and addicted to the pills that you actually question if she was playing with the reader’s mind or if she is actually genuine as the story was told from the Wife’s perspective. I also liked the ending. I also like the descriptions that the author used to describe the house on Big Sur, that make you feel like you are in that house, with the house overlooking the woods, the house entirely a bit see through (though it was a bit creepy to me) so that made the reader feel like they are with the character. And to me, the story was not very realistic to me as I said this was more like a scene from a thriller movie.

Overall, this is actually a good thriller, worth reading and will keep you up all night to a thrilling adventure. This book will be published on August 24th 2020 so you can pre-order your copy now on Amazon if you are interested! An absolutely unputdownable thriller. Worth four stars!

Vector Illustration Concept Of Giving Four Stars. Royalty Free ...

Shhhh….The Silent Patient- Book Review

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / Leave a comment

Hey all! Just finished with my most wanted to read book, which I have wanted to read for the past two years–The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides! Here’s my review

The Silent Patient: The Richard and Judy bookclub pick and Sunday Times Bestseller by [Alex Michaelides]

Alicia Berenson lived a seemingly perfect life until one day six years ago.

When she shot her husband in the head five times.

Since then she hasn’t spoken a single word.

It’s time to find out why.

No. of pages:- 336 pages

Date Published:- February 2019

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Alex Michaelides

Alex Michaelides was born in Cyprus to a Greek-Cypriot father and English mother. He has a MA in English Literature from Cambridge University and a MFA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient is his first novel.

The Silent Patient book is the debut book by the author Alex Michaelides. This book had been in my want to read book list but I manage to get this book finally on Kindle!!!! So I am excited to read the book and I must say, I was not to be disappointed.

Alicia Berenson was guilty of murdering her husband, Gabriel. Gabriel was found tied on a chair, bounded and he was shot six times on the face. Ever since then Alicia Berenson had remained silent, refusing to talk about the crime and was put into the psychiatric unit of The Grove. Theo Faber is the new psychiatrist at the Grove and he was determined to make Alicia talk, despite the fact that many of his colleagues are asking him to give up. He wanted Alicia to talk of what really happened that night. And why was Alicia refusing to talk? And why is Theo so determined to make her talk? I feel like this story is more like a cat and mouse chase, demanding answers and truth.

I must say, this is one of the best psychological thriller I have read in a while! The story is intense, gripping and I was so hooked into the story that I couldn’t simply put it down! The story is told from the perspective of Theo and some extracts from Alicia’s diary so we get to know more about both of them. It is also interesting that both Theo and Alicia almost shared the similar family backgrounds–both came from dysfunctional families and both endured childhood abuses. I also like the style of writing as well and the story is somewhat realistic. There were twists and turns in each of the chapter but the ending was the most unexpected twist that I had read that I am still recovering from that twist!!!

Overall, I had a good rollercoaster ride with this book. The book is one of the best psychological thrillers I have read, in my opinion, unputdownable, with lots of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you up at night. I was so hooked into the story that I kept reading and reading, wondering what is going to happen next so over all, the author did a good job of making the reader feel like they are at the edge of the seat, waiting for something to happen!

The ending was good–a bit confusing however but to me, it was good, unexpected good.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, twisty psychological thriller. Worth five stars!

Rating Five Stars. Motion Graphics Stock Footage Video (100 ...

You Let Him In- Book Review

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / Leave a comment

Just finished the book, You Let Him In by J.A. Andrews. Here’s my review!

You Let Him In: A twisty psychological thriller that will keep you hooked by [JA Andrews]

The only thing she was guilty of was trusting him

All Jenny Clifton ever wanted was to be the ideal wife and mother. When she married Michael in a fairytale wedding, followed by the birth of baby Daniel, her life was complete.

Yet just three years later, the shine has faded. Now, money is tight, and the occasional argument has become daily screaming matches between Jenny and Michael.

Something needs to change… and it does, when Michael is killed in a brutal hit and run, breathing his last with a stranger holding
his hand.

Lonely and distraught, Jenny strikes up an unlikely friendship with the witness to the accident, clinging to the connection with the man who watched Michael die.

But as she uncovers the secrets that her husband was keeping, Jenny realises that her perfect life may have been a perfect lie – and worse, that her new friend may be harbouring dangerous secrets of his own…

A gripping, twisty psychological thriller packed with suspense and a jaw-dropping
ending. Fans of T.M. Logan, C.L. Taylor and K.L. Slater won’t be able to put this one down.

No. of pages:- 222 pages

Date Published:- August 19th 2020

Genre:- Thriller

JA Andrews

JA Andrews is the author of dark psychological thrillers with novels published by Hera. Mummy’s Boy, is his 2020 debut with a further dark story due for release later in the year. As well as writing, JA Andrews enjoys reading a mix of genres, watching various reality TV and spending time with family and friends. Also a member of the Crime Writers Association, and can be found online in a few places:

First of all, thank you Netgalley and Hera for the ARC!

In a nutshell, Jenny Clifton, the wife of Michael Clifton seems to trust her husband so much that she let him manage the finances around the house, after all he is the accountant. He works late at night so he could get extra money to give comfort life to Jenny and their three year old son Daniel. But one night, the day when Jenny and Michael argued and Michael left the house, Michael died in a car accident. The only witness to the accident was a man named Gary who had been beside Michael at the time of the accident.

Jenny was feeling guilty about the Michael’s death and soon she gets letters from the bank and credit card bills, saying the payment is overdue. Jenny thought her husband was handling the finances and why did her husband lied to her? Gary then slowly joins into the part of Jenny’s circle with the interest of becoming friends with her or is their another intention?

The story was good–there was thrill in the story. Most of the story was told from the perspective of Jenny. Throughout the story, we are wondering what was Michael’s secret, why did he have so much of debts and to whom was he working for actually? That kind of made the reader interested as to what Michael was really up to. The story was a bit slow paced, sometimes it was a bit boring, especially towards the middle. The characters in the book are not that likable in my opinion. The story to me was a bit predictable as I knew that this might happen in the end. However, the emotions and feelings that Jenny was going through as a wife was realistic to me and her relationship with her mother-in-law Donna was also realistic as both are struggling and competing each other as what is best for Michael’s funeral and who will look after Daniel properly.

Overall, this is actually a quick read–for anyone who want to read a quick read thriller, this book is perfect. Worth three stars in my opinion! If you are interested you can pre-order your copy now on Amazon!

Poul Anderson Appreciation: Three Stars

I Know Your Secret – Book Review

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / Leave a comment

Hey all! I am back after a long time!!! Anyway so I just finished I know Your Secret by Ruth Heald and here is my review!

I Know Your Secret: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller full of twists by [Ruth Heald]

She thinks she knows me.

She believes my marriage is falling apart at the seams, that my husband can barely look me in the eyes. She thinks I’m desperate for a baby, that my longing for a family keeps me up at night. As much as I hate to admit it, all of this is true.

She thinks I listen to her advice, that I care about her opinion. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Because she has no idea who I am. She has no clue that I know everything.

I know her secret. I know that she did the unforgivable. I know how many lives she ruined.

I know exactly what she did. And I’m here for her.

No. of pages:- 272 pages

Date published:- June 2020

Genre:- Psychological Fiction

Ruth Heald

Ruth Heald is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers THE MOTHER’S MISTAKE and THE WOMAN UPSTAIRS, and the relationship drama 27: SIX FRIENDS, ONE YEAR.

Ruth studied Economics at Oxford University and then worked in an eclectic mix of sectors from nuclear decommissioning to management consulting. She worked at the BBC for nine years before leaving to write full time. Ruth is fascinated by psychology and finding out what drives people to violence, destruction and revenge. She’s married with two children and her novels explore our greatest fears in otherwise ordinary, domestic lives

The story starts with a woman named Beth, who is going through a break-up with her partner, Richard as he moves out of the house. Her life becomes messier as she needs to look after her son Charlie. Beth is working as a therapist and during one of her session, she meets a new client named Danielle Brown. Then things began to change in her life.

Now I will start with the ones I like about the book.

  • The book is told from the perspectives of two women, Beth and Danielle. Both seemed t be struggling with their own relationships and both seemed to be carrying some sort of secret, which as a reader you are dying to know what the secret is.
  • I also really like the writing of the book–the author has done a good job keeping the reader hooked into the story.
  • The story is gripping, intriguing making the reader like me want to read more and also in each of the chapter, there are unexpected twists and turns. Also both the characters are undependable and later on the secret is unraveled in the end of the book.
  • The ending was good, a bit emotional but was good.
  • By reading the perspectives of Beth and Danielle, it will be interesting as a reader to know what they are actually thinking and so the reader can read their minds–I also like how both the characters are vulnerable–Beth seemed to be suffering from delusions and Danielle seemed to be suffering from anger management. During the course of Beth’s relationship with Richard, he admitted of having an affair and Beth suspected it was Danielle. Was it really Danielle? And Danielle doesn’t seem to be too honest with her husband, particularly her family background which you are curious to find out.
  • The book is actually fast paced and also a quick read.
  • Each of the chapter is filled with suspense that made the reader hooked and intrigued into the story. The author was clever of making the reader believe in both the characters and then doubting them in the middle and finally clearing up the fog towards the end. That’s the great writing.

Overall, this is truly a gripping, mind blowing psychological thriller that you simply cannot put down!!! I would rate this book as five stars!

Free Five Star Cliparts, Download Free Clip Art, Free Clip Art on ...

Jar of Hearts – Book Review

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / Leave a comment

Hey all!!! I just finished this book, Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier and can’t wait to share the review with you all!

Jar of Hearts

This is the story of three best friends: one who was murdered, one who went to prison, and one who’s been searching for the truth all these years . . .

When she was sixteen years old, Angela Wong—one of the most popular girls in school—disappeared without a trace. Nobody ever suspected that her best friend, Georgina Shaw, now an executive and rising star at her Seattle pharmaceutical company, was involved in any way. Certainly not Kaiser Brody, who was close with both girls back in high school.

But fourteen years later, Angela Wong’s remains are discovered in the woods near Geo’s childhood home. And Kaiser—now a detective with Seattle PD—finally learns the truth: Angela was a victim of Calvin James. The same Calvin James who murdered at least three other women.

To the authorities, Calvin is a serial killer. But to Geo, he’s something else entirely. Back in high school, Calvin was Geo’s first love. Turbulent and often volatile, their relationship bordered on obsession from the moment they met right up until the night Angela was killed.

For fourteen years, Geo knew what happened to Angela and told no one. For fourteen years, she carried the secret of Angela’s death until Geo was arrested and sent to prison.

While everyone thinks they finally know the truth, there are dark secrets buried deep. And what happened that fateful night is more complex and more chilling than anyone really knows. Now the obsessive past catches up with the deadly present when new bodies begin to turn up, killed in the exact same manner as Angela Wong.

How far will someone go to bury her secrets and hide her grief? How long can you get away with a lie? How long can you live with it?

Hardcover, 311 pages

Published June 12th 2018 by Minotaur Books

Genre:- Thriller

Jennifer Hillier

Jennifer Hillier writes about dark, twisted people who do dark, twisted things. Born and raised in Toronto and a proud Canadian, she spent eight years in the Seattle area, which is where all her books are set.

She loves her son, her husband, the Seahawks, and Stephen King. Not equally, but close. She’s the author of six novels, including JAR OF HEARTS, which won the Thriller Award, and was shortlisted for the Anthony and Macavity Awards.

Her newest psychological thriller, LITTLE SECRETS, will be out on April 21, 2020 from Minotaur Books.

Learn more about her at jenniferhillierbooks.com

This book talks about the friendship between three teenagers–Angela, Geo and Kaiser. One of them ended up being murdered, one ended up going to prison and the other is looking for the answers.

The story starts with Georgina “Geo” Shaw, a successful executive who was on trial for the murder of her best friend, Angela Wong. Her remains were discovered at the backyard of Geo’s childhood home. Along with Geo facing the trial was her ex-boyfriend, Calvin James, known in media as “Sweetbay Strangler” who had killed Angela. While Calvin gets life sentence, Geo gets five years in prison. However, Calvin escapes from the prison.

Five years later, Geo was released from the prison. After her release, a series of murders start taking place, that resemble to Angela’s murder and Kaiser, who is now a detective suspects that Calvin is at work again…

So as usual, let’s start with the ones I like about the book.

  • The book was actually well written, the author has managed to keep the reader hooked into the story. I was so hooked into the story that I did’t even realize that I have finished the book!
  • The ending, to me was a bit emotional and sad (don’t want to spoil too much details)
  • The book was realistic in someways. This is true, particularly the life in prison (how Geo faces) and the abusive relationship Geo had with Calvin. The author seemed to have done some research about the prison life that to the reader, it felt real.
  • All the characters in this book are complicated and complex and seemed to be having complicated relationship with each other. Geo is one complex character and her friendship with Kaiser seemed to be complicated as well. Also her twisted relationship with Calvin was also interesting.
  • This book was dark and twisted in many ways. It is too explicit in some ways (particularly about the murders of children and the dismemberment of the bodies). It might be disturbing at times to read but I think despite it’s disturbance, the author does a good job of creeping the reader out. That actually made it a good thriller.
  • The book was fast paced, engaging and interesting to reader. There were lot of twists and turns, particularly at the end of the book, it is a shocking twist. In other words, it was quiet a page turner.
  • The book was told from the perspectives of Geo and Kaiser so we get to know about about what each of them thinks and what type of secrets each are struggling. We also see Geo regretting of hiding too many secrets, particularly about the murder of her best friend, Angela.
  • I really like the cinnamon heart candies stored in the jar scenes in the book.

Now the things I didn’t like in the book

  • The ending to me was a bit rush and I really wish the ending was a bit long! I didn’t mind reading it longer!

Overall, this is a page turner, twisty, dark and emotive thriller, a good read for those who are into thrillers. Worth five stars!

Judson Health Center Receives 5-Star Rating in all 5 Categories ...

The Woman in the Park- Book Review

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / Leave a comment

Hello all!! A book review today–The Woman in the Park by Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist

The Woman in the Park by [Teresa Sorkin , Tullan Holmqvist]

When Manhattanite Sarah Rock meets a mysterious and handsome stranger in the park, she is drawn to him. Sarah wants to get away from her daily routine, her cheating husband and his crazy mistress, her frequent sessions with her heartless therapist, and her moody children.

But nothing is as it seems. Her life begins to unravel when a woman from the park goes missing and Sarah becomes the prime suspect in the woman’s disappearance. Her lover is nowhere to be found, her husband is suspicious of her, and her therapist is talking to the police.

With no one to trust, Sarah must face her inner demons and uncover the truth to prove her innocence.

A thriller that questions what is real-with its shocking twists, secrets, and lies—The Woman in the Park will leave readers breathless.

  • Print Length: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Beaufort Books (August 26, 2019)
  • Publication Date: August 26, 2019
  • Genre:- Psychological Thriller
Teresa Sorkin

Teresa Sorkin is a Television Producer with a passion for creating, writing, telling, sharing and producing great stories. She is the founder of Roman Way Productions, a production company with 32 projects in development.  Teresa has produced shows and films for various networks and studios. Teresa received her degree in Marketing and Media from New York University (NYU) and Bocconi University in Milan. She was a journalist for RAI TV where she worked on entertainment and fashion hosting her own show for the network. When Teresa isn’t working on the best next story, she spends time with her husband Ian and two children. https://teresasorkin.com/

Tullan Holmqvist

Tullan Holmqvist is an investigator, writer and actor, and is the coauthor of the psychological thriller novel and screenplay The Woman in the Park with producer Teresa Sorkin. Tullan’s work as a private investigator has included global fraud investigations, financial due diligence and art cases. She has a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florence; literature and language degrees from universities in France and Italy; and screenwriting and acting studies at New York University, Boston University, MH and HB Studios. Originally from Sweden, Tullan lives in New York with her composer-attorney husband Giovanni and two sons. www.tullanh.com

This book is about a woman named Sarah Park, who is living in Manhattan. She is living in a depressed sort of life, believing that her husband Eric was having an affair with a woman named Juliette and is having therapy sessions with Dr. Robin regarding her certain disorder. While in the park, she meets a man named Lawrence who shares that he liked the same book as Sarah was reading–Therese Raquin by Zola. Together they embark on an affair. However, Sarah’s life turn upside down when a woman goes missing and Sarah becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance.

So let’s start as usual with the ones I like about the book.

  • As expected in a thriller, there were unexpected twists and turns in the book. Towards the end, the twist in the story was unexpected.
  • The writing was OK and it kept the reader hooked into the story.
  • To me, the characters in the book are OK. You actually feel sorry for the main character, Sarah.
  • I like how each of the chapter started off with an extract from the book Therese Raquin and also provide psychiatrist’s notes about Sarah so the reader would know what type of person Sarah is, whether she is an unstable person or not.

Now about the things I didn’t like in the book.

  • The beginning was kind of boring although towards the end, it became interesting.
  • The story was a bit predictable

Overall, this is a good thriller, kept me on the hook. Worth four stars!!

4estrellas-620x257 - 4 Stars In A Line Transparent PNG - 620x257 ...

Stuck in the Blizzard–No Exit Book Review

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / Leave a comment

Just finished a fast paced thriller, No Exit by Taylor Adams and so can’t wait to share my insight with you all.

39938177

A brilliant, edgy thriller about four strangers, a blizzard, a kidnapped child, and a determined young woman desperate to unmask and outwit a vicious psychopath.

A kidnapped little girl locked in a stranger’s van. No help for miles. What would you do?

On her way to Utah to see her dying mother, college student Darby Thorne gets caught in a fierce blizzard in the mountains of Colorado. With the roads impassable, she’s forced to wait out the storm at a remote highway rest stop. Inside are some vending machines, a coffee maker, and four complete strangers.

Desperate to find a signal to call home, Darby goes back out into the storm . . . and makes a horrifying discovery. In the back of the van parked next to her car, a little girl is locked in an animal crate.

Who is the child? Why has she been taken? And how can Darby save her?

There is no cell phone reception, no telephone, and no way out. One of her fellow travelers is a kidnapper. But which one?

Trapped in an increasingly dangerous situation, with a child’s life and her own on the line, Darby must find a way to break the girl out of the van and escape.

But who can she trust?

With exquisitely controlled pacing, Taylor Adams diabolically ratchets up the tension with every page. Full of terrifying twists and hairpin turns, No Exit will have you on the edge of your seat and leave you breathless

Print Length: 287 pages

  • Publisher: William Morrow (January 15, 2019)
  • Publication Date: January 15, 2019
  • Genre- Psychological Thriller
Taylor Adams

Taylor Adams directed the acclaimed short film And I Feel Fine in 2008 and graduated Eastern Washington University with the Excellence in Screenwriting Award and the prestigious Edmund G. Yarwood Award. His directorial work has screened at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival and his writing has been featured on KAYU-TV’s Fox Life blog. He has worked in the film/television industry for several years and lives in Washington state. EYESHOT is Adams’ debut novel, published by Joffe Books.

I have wanted to read this book for a while had been in want to read list. I finally found this book as an E-book on Scribd and so started reading it!

Darby Thorne is a sophomore from CU Boulder, who is driving from Boulder to Utah, as her mother is in the final stages of cancer and was at the hospital. While driving and due to to hazard of blizzard and the threat of closing the roads, Darby stops at a small rest in. In this small rest in also four other people, who are also stuck in the rest place because of the blizzard. While outside, trying to get a signal on her phone, she sees that inside one of the vans, a girl was being caged in a dog cage. Then begins the story, as to who is the one who is carrying a captive in a van.

So as usual, I will start with the ones I like about the book.

  • This thriller is actually fast paced, which I liked about the book. Something is going on or going to happen in each of the chapter and so the author did a good job of keeping the reader hooked into the story
  • To Darby, every four person is a suspect–Ashley, the talkative accountant, Ed a retired veterinarian and his cousin Sandi and Lars, a creepy teenage looking boy. We have no clue as to who is actually having a small girl as a captive in one of the vans. (I am not going to let too much info about that)
  • Also, once Darby finds the real culprit, it becomes a cat and mouse chase and as a reader, we are wondering who is going to get out of the place alive or whether the girl inside the van will get saved.
  • The author uses the hours and time as chapters in the book, beginning with the evening when Darby is driving and is stopping over at the rest in and ending in the dawn time.
  • There were twists in each and every one of the chapters.
  • To be honest, while reading the book, I thought I was in kind of a horror movie–an interesting horror movie, with no telephone signals stuck with a certain psycho so that actually made the reader feel tensed and at the edge of the seat.
  • Like most psychological thrillers (nearly every protagonists in a psychological thriller is dealing with some personal issue), Darby is a vulnerable girl, who has some personal issues and a dysfunctional relationship with her mother and as a reader, you kind of feel sorry for the character as she herself (or even the reader) has no idea if she is able to save the little girl and save her life or die.
  • The ending was a bit unexpected.

Now about the ones I didn’t like about the book.

  • SPOILER ALERT!!!!! I am a bit confused about the ending. However I assumed that Darby is dead and Jay was talking to the ghost of Darby.
  • It was a bit gory and disgusting when you are reading towards the end i.e. too much violence towards the end. I don’t really like violence much.

Overall, if you like a fast paced thriller, then No Exit is for you. Worth four stars in my opinion.

Fourstars - Four Stars Transparent PNG - 1237x305 - Free Download ...

The Asylum–Book Review by Johan Theorin

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / 1 Comment

Today I will be doing a book review on a Swedish psychological thriller, The Asylum, written by Johan Theorin.

Anyway, before I begin with the review, just to let you know, we are on lockdown here in Sri Lanka, because of COVID-19 and practically this is the 3rd day of the lockdown. But today, the government decided to open 4 hours for the public to go out and buy the necessities before imposing the curfew again. Yeah, so practically, this is the life under lockdown. So what am I doing during this lockdown? Sewing, baking, watching TV and of course reading books!!!

So let’s begin the review

the-asylum_jacketpicUK

We don’t talk about sick or healthy people at St Patricia’s. Words such as hysteric, lunatic and psychopath…They are no longer used. Because who amongst us can say that we are always healthy?’ An underground passage leads from the Dell nursery to Saint Patricia’s asylum. Only the children enter, leaving their minders behind. On the other side are their parents – some of the most dangerous psychopaths in the country. Jan has just started working at the nursery. He is a loner with many secrets and one goal. He must get inside the asylum…What is his connection with one of the inmates, a famous singer? What really happened when a boy in his care went missing nine years ago? Who can we trust when everyone has something to hide?

Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Doubleday (October 1, 2012)

Language: English (Original Swedish)

Genre–Thriller, Suspense, Crime.

Image result for johan theorin

Throughout his life, Johan Theorin has been a regular visitor to the Baltic island of Öland, where his books are set. His mother’s family – sailors, fishermen and farmers – have lived there for centuries, nurturing the island’s rich legacy of strange tales and folklore. A journalist by profession, Johan lives in Gothenburg, Sweden.

All right, so this story is a chilling Swedish psychological novel, where the protagonist, Jan Hauger, who is a pre school teacher with secrets of his own starts his job at the Dell Nursery where it is located near a mental asylum known as St Patricia’s that holds the country’s most dangerous psychos as well. This novel divides between past and present and the author eventually helps us to get a glimpse on Jan’s thoughts. Eventually, we find that Jan is actually a disturbed young youth who had also being locked up in a mental institution himself when he was a teenager and he has a difficulty of getting connected with the people. He is also on a quest as well–he mainly took up the job simply because he wanted to find someone who is locked in St. Patricia–his childhood love named Alice Rami. Throughout this book, it simply talks about obsession as Jan is obsessed to find Rami in the institution.

So here are the things that I liked about the book

  • I like the writing style of the novel–the writing is engaging and well written.
  • There are some tense moments in the chapters that makes you wonder what is going to happen next.

Things I didn’t really like

  • Despite this being a psychological thriller, I feel it’s not as scary as it sounds like. Not like the Girl with the Dragon tattoo.
  • Cannot feel connection with the characters–all the characters seems to be having flaws.

Over all I rate this book three stars but I do recommend this book though. It has some thrilling sense in it.

Image result for three stars

Stay tuned for my next review!!!

Thriller Tuesday – Book Review Bad Mother by Amanda Brooke

/ tropicalgirlreads1988 / Leave a comment

Hey all! Today is Tuesdays so Tuesdays means it’s thriller review time!! Today I will be doing a book review called The Bad Mother by Amanda Brooke. I read this book last year and so I thought I will share some thoughts about this book!

Image result for the bad mother amanda brooke

That’s what he wants you to think…

A good mother doesn’t forget things.

A good mother isn’t a danger to herself.

A good mother isn’t a danger to her baby.

You want to be the good mother you dreamed you could be.

But you’re not. You’re the bad mother you were destined to become.

At least, that what he wants you to believe…

Print Length: 417 pages

Language: English

  • Publisher: HarperCollins (December 14, 2017)
  • Publication Date: December 14, 2017
  • Genre:- Psychological Thriller
Image result for the bad mother amanda brooke

Amanda Brooke lives in Liverpool and spends her days writing under the watchful gaze of her coworkers, Spider the cat and Mouse the dog. It was only when her young son was diagnosed with cancer that Amanda discovered the need to write, initially recording her family’s journey in a journal. When Nathan died in 2006 at just three years old, Amanda was determined that his legacy would be one of inspiration not devastation. Her debut novel Yesterday’s Sun was inspired by her experiences of motherhood and her understanding of how much a mother would be willing to sacrifice for the life of her child. She continues to write books with strong emotional themes.

So I will start with the ones I like about the book

  • The ending was good, though it was actually predictable.
  • Through the middle of the book, the story started to get interesting and couldn’t really wait to see if the main character, Lucy Robin is actually absent minded or if her husband, Adam is playing with her mind.
  • The writing was good and so kept the reader hooked into the story.
  • The book was tense, disturbing at times to read and also a little realistic as well. A good thriller book.

Now I will start with the ones I didn’t like about the book.

  • The book and the story itself was a little predictable, even the ending too.
  • I didn’t really much like the character–Lucy is so naive and stupid at times as she is trusting her husband too much and believes every single word that Adam is telling her. I mean as a reader, I could right through see that he is manipulating her but then maybe, in real life, women who are controlled by their husbands feel like that way.
  • It was a little boring in the beginning though the story got intense and interesting towards the end.
  • Maybe it’s just me but the reader would be curious as to why Adam would turn up to be a monster like he is in the book–what was his ulterior motive of behaving like that? No clue.

Though this is a psychological thriller, this is not a thriller to die hard for Gone Girl. I give the book a three star rating–good book but not brilliant.

Image result for three star